Device and method for applying liquid body care products, especially sun protection emulsions

ABSTRACT

A device for applying body care products onto the skin of a human body has at least one supply container for receiving a body care product. At least one spray nozzle arrangement is provided for dispensing the body care product in the direction onto the human body. A control device is provided that controls dispensing of the body care product as a function of a position of the skin to be treated with the body care product relative to the spray nozzle arrangement. A directed and uniform application of the body care product without spraying the body car product onto articles of clothing or the head and hair of the user is possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a device for applying liquid body care products, in particular, sun protection emulsions, onto the skin of a human body, comprising at least one supply container for receiving the body care product and at least one spray nozzle arrangement for dispensing the body care product in the direction toward the body of a user; it further relates to a spray nozzle arrangement of such a device as well as a method for applying liquid body care products by using this device.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] With the increasing destruction of the ozone layer the risk of skin damage as a result of increasing intensity of UV radiation increases also. In regard to this danger the use of liquid body care products in the form of sun protection emulsions increases is steadily. In this connection, it is common to employ containers which are, in general, made of an easily deformable material such as plastic, which contain the body care product and release the desired amount of care product when applying a targeted pressure. When using such a known device, it was however found that an effective optimal application of the body care product, in general, requires special attention and the result is often unsatisfactory. Either the application is too thick or it is insufficient. Moreover, the application of the body care product by using the known containers is also problematic because the application of the care product onto parts of the body that are not easily accessible, for example, the back, is rather difficult and somebody able to assist is not always available in order to provide sufficient protections at these locations.

[0005] This problem is already addressed in the German utility model G 87 14 652.5. As a solution to this problem, the use of a distribution device is suggested in the aforementioned document which is connected to a support column and is provided with openings that can be shut off and are arranged at least substantially horizontally. The column can be arranged in a booth which protects the care-seeking person from curious onlookers. In the known device the effective spray area is determined by the number of the spray nozzles, wherein these spray nozzles can be arranged in a single or several rows in the vertical direction of the column. By actuating corresponding shut-off members for the individual spray nozzles, the spray area can be adjusted in a defined way. In this connection, especially the spray height as a function of the body height of the care-seeking person is taken into account.

[0006] The use of the devices known from this document has however shown that often operating errors occur which either cause an satisfactory treatment of the care-seeking person with the body care product or result in spraying of the hair, the eyes or other body parts not to be treated. Moreover, the actuation of the shut-off members for the individual spray nozzles suggested in the aforementioned document has proven to be problematic for hygiene reasons. Also, this defect cannot be overcome by the automatic control described in DE 195 01 014 in connection with the operation of showers of the aforementioned kind because with such a control it is only possible to detect the presence of a person and, in response to corresponding detection signals, to trigger the operation of the spraying device. In the case of such an automated starting of the operation of devices of the aforementioned kind, an undesirable release of body care products onto body parts not to be treated can happen frequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the aforementioned kind with which an optimal metering and distribution of the body care product to be applied onto the body surface can be achieved comfortably without hygiene problems.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in that dispensing of the body care product can be controlled by means of a control device as a function of the position of the skin to be treated with the body care product relative to the spray nozzle arrangement.

[0009] This invention is based on the recognition that the problems occurring in connection with the afore discussed devices with respect to erroneous application of the body care product is based primarily on operating errors of the adjustable spray nozzles. Such an operating error can be prevented by using the devices of the present invention because the position of the skin surface to be treated is automatically detected and a corresponding control of the spray nozzle arrangement is carried out by the inventive device so that the exclusion of an erroneous body care product application no longer depends on the capabilities of the individual user. In general, in this connection the position of the skin surfaces to be treated can be detected in a contactless way so that there are also no hygiene problems. As soon as the position of the skin surfaces to be treated has been detected, the spray nozzle arrangement is controlled such that the spatial distribution of the body care product dispensed thereby provides, on the one hand, a satisfactory treatment of the skin surfaces and, on the other hand, reliably prevents a distribution of this skin care product onto body parts not to be treated, for example, the head and, in particular, the hair. Accordingly, the method according to the invention for applying liquid body care products, in particular, sun protection emulsions, onto the skin of a user is characterized substantially in that in a first step the position of the skin surfaces to be treated with the body care product are detected and in a second step dispensing of the body care product in the direction toward the user is controlled as a function of the position of the skin surface to be treated detected in the first step.

[0010] The above described contactless detection of the position of the skin surfaces to be treated can be achieved when the control device has a receiver arrangement for receiving signals originating from the skin to be treated, such as, for example, ultrasound signals and/or electromagnetic signals, in particular, light. In this case, the control device is expediently provided with an evaluation circuit for evaluating the signals received by the receiver arrangement with which, based on the results of the evaluation, control signals for the spray nozzle arrangement are generated. In this way, a completely automated control of the device according to the invention can be realized.

[0011] In an embodiment designed especially for the use in connection with receiver arrangements configured for receiving ultrasound signals, the evaluation circuit is configured to operate for detecting the distance between the receiver and the location from which the received signals originate. In this way, by means of the evaluation circuit it can be determined whether the received signals are generated by a person present in the vicinity of the spray nozzle arrangement or a person farther removed or an object which is father removed. Accordingly, with this evaluation circuit the presence of a person to be treated as well as the position of this person can be detected when, in addition to the distance between the receiver and the location from where the received signals originate, the impinging direction of the received signals is detected also.

[0012] Particularly for the use of the device according to the invention for treating persons which during the treatment wear articles of clothing, it was found to be expedient when the evaluation circuit can be operated so as to detect surface properties, in particular, the color, of the location from which the signals originate. In this case, it can be determined by means of the evaluations circuit whether the location from which the signals originate is an exposed skin surface or an article of clothing and the control of the spray nozzle arrangement can be such that the articles of clothing are not sprayed with the body care product. In this embodiment of the invention, the receiver arrangement can, for example, be provided with a semiconductor element, in particular, a photo diode, whose output signal depends on the intensity of the impinging light signals as well as on their color or wavelength when suitably selecting the band structure of the semiconductor material. In this connection, at least one lens arrangement is positioned upstream of the semiconductor material with which the light impinging from a predetermined direction is focused onto the photo diode. In this case, a particularly excellent spatial resolution and thus an particularly precise detection of the position of the skin surfaces to be treated can be obtained.

[0013] As has been already explained above, the receiver arrangement of the device according to the invention has expediently at least one ultrasound receiver and/or a photo diode. In addition, the use of receiver arrangements in the form of cameras, in particular, digital cameras, is also considered with which a complete image of the person to be treated can be generated. The position of the skin to be treated can then be determined by means of a suitable image processing system when using such cameras.

[0014] Even though the inventive device can be operated properly when the signals originating from the skin are in the form of sunlight, heat radiation or the like reflected by the skin, it was found to be particularly favorable for maintaining an especially excellent spatial resolution or correlation of the detected signals to definable surfaces when the control device has a sender for sending signals in the direction toward the body of the user, such as, for example, an ultrasound sender and/or a sender for emitting electromagnetic signals, in particular, light, for example, in the form of an incandescent light bulb or a laser. When using such senders it can be determined which spatial areas are to be illuminated so that by means of the signals received by the receiver arrangement it can be immediately determined where the signals are coming from. In this connection, it was found to be particularly favorable when the sender for sending the signals is configured to emit signals only in one, optionally changeable, spatial direction. This condition is usually present for ultrasound senders or lasers. When using a sender in the form of a simple incandescent light bulb, the radiation of light in only one spatial direction can be obtained in that the incandescent light bulb has a corresponding collimator lens with which the light originating from the light bulb is converted into a light beam bundle spreading in only one spatial direction. In all cases, the change of the propagation direction of the signals originating from the sender can be effected especially simply when the sender, optionally together with the receiver, is supported to be pivotable about at least one axis that extends preferably horizontally. The common movement of sender and receiver is particularly expedient because in this way the spatial relation between these elements remains unchanged so that the changes of the signals received by the receiver arrangement are caused exclusively by the changes of the reflective properties in the area of the propagating signals so that for the evaluation of these received signals no side effects must be taken into account.

[0015] Even though the device according to the invention may comprise also a spray nozzle arrangement with a plurality of individual stationary spray nozzles, which can be controlled selectively as a function of the position of the skin surfaces to be treated as detected by the control device, it was found to be particularly expedient with regard to the constructive configuration when the spray nozzle arrangement has at least one movable spray nozzle that is, in particular, pivotably supported about a predetermined axis, because for such a spray nozzle arrangement using only one spray nozzle many skin surfaces positioned differently relative to the spray nozzle arrangement can be treated in that the spray nozzle can be moved or pivoted accordingly. In this embodiment, it was found to be particularly expedient when the spray nozzle, together with the sender and/or receiver, is pivotably supported about a common pivot axis because then, when receiving the signals originating from the skin to be treated, the position of the spray nozzle required for the treatment of the skin surface can be detected in a particularly simple way. In this connection, a further simplification results when the sender is configured for emitting a signal which propagates along an envelope, preferably along the upper edge of the envelope, of the spray cone of the body care product dispensed by the spray nozzle because then the position of the spray nozzle, where a signal originating from the sender and reflected on the skin to be treated is detected by the receiver arrangement, immediately corresponds to the position in which the spray nozzle can treat this skin surface.

[0016] As has been mentioned above, it must generally be ensured that neither the face nor the hair of the user is sprayed with the body care product. A corresponding control of the spray nozzle arrangement can be realized especially simply when the sender can be operated for emitting signals propagating in a vertical plane intercepting the body of the user adjacent to the head in the shoulder area when the body is in a predetermined position which is determined, for example, by corresponding markings, in particular, foot markings. In this arrangement of the sender, by pivoting the sender about a horizontally extending axis, the body of the user can be scanned in the corresponding vertical plane in order to determine the shoulder height of the user by a change of the signals received by the receiver arrangement belonging to the sender. As soon as the shoulder height has been determined in this way, the spray nozzle arrangement can be controlled such that the body care product will be dispensed only in a spatial area below the shoulder height.

[0017] With a device according to the invention a fully automated operation can be ensured when a drive device for moving, in particular, pivoting, the spray nozzle is provided which is controlled by the control device. Even though this drive device can also be realized in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic drive, with respect to the configuration it was found to be especially beneficial when the drive device comprises a motor coupled to the spray nozzle, preferably by means of a gearbox, a coupling, a drive axle, extending preferably parallel to the pivot axis, and/or a lever mechanism coupled to the drive axle and having at least one lever extending transversely to the drive axle. In this connection, the lever mechanism, coupled to the drive axle extending parallel to the pivot axis, is used primarily when in the area of the spray nozzle itself only little mounting space is available and/or a damage of the drive device in the vicinity of the spray nozzle arrangement is to be expected because the use of the lever mechanism with at least one lever extending transversely to the drive axle can convert the rotational movement of the drive axle into a pivot movement of the spray nozzle about a pivot axis extending at a spacing parallel to the drive axis. Moreover, the use of a suitable lever mechanism for transmitting the rotational movement from the drive axle onto the spray nozzle by means of a suitable selection of the lever lengths and the coupling points also enables a transformation of the rotational movement into a horizontal and/or vertical movement of the spray surface on the body of the user with a substantially constant velocity. This can ensure a particularly uniform application of the body care product.

[0018] In the sense of a particularly uniform application of the body care product, it was further found to be expedient when the spray nozzle arrangement is configured like an atomizer and has at least one pressure line for supplying a carrier medium which is pressurized, for example, compressed air, and at least one supply line opening in the area of the spray nozzle into this pressure line for the liquid body care product because, in this case, the body care product is finely atomized with the carrier medium and exits in this way from the spray nozzle.

[0019] The selection of the preferred body care product, in particular, sun protection emulsion, depends generally on the personal preferences of the individual user. For this reason, the supply device of the device according to the invention has preferably at least two supply lines for selectively supplying body care products, preferably at least from two storage containers, in order to thus provide the user with a selection for selecting preferred body care products. For this purpose, the supply device is expediently provided with a valve arrangement enabling a selective supply of body care product to the spray nozzle. It was found to be particularly beneficial with regard to the configuration when the supply lines open into a common chamber from which the body care product is then removed by means of an additional supply line which opens into the pressure line. In this connection, between the treatment with different body care products an especially simple removal of the previously used body care product from the chamber and/or of the additional supply line can be achieved when the supply device also has a secondary pressure line for the selective introduction of a medium under pressure, in particular, compressed air, into the common chamber. By means of the medium supplied via the secondary pressure line, the residues of the previously employed body care product can be blown out of the chamber and the additional supply line.

[0020] In the spray nozzle arrangement described above, comprising a pressure line and a supply line for the body care product, the movement of the spray nozzle, in particular, a pivot movement, can be realized in an especially simple way, while avoiding movements of large components, when the compressed air line and/or at least one of the supply lines has a first section, preferably approximately parallel to the pivot axis, and a second section fluid-tightly connected therewith and being provided at the end opposite the first section with the spray nozzle and being moveably, particularly pivotably, supported relative to the first section, wherein the drive device is coupled to the second section. In this connection, it was found to be particularly advantageous when the supply device comprises a number of flexible hoses introduced into the second section which open into a common chamber arranged stationarily in the second section of the pressure line from which the body care product is then removed by means of an additional supply line, also arranged stationarily in the second section of the pressure line, wherein this additional supply line opens in the vicinity of the spray nozzle into the pressure line. In this connection, the second section expediently has a curved portion along which the carrier medium under pressure is deflected by an angle of preferably approximately 90°. The spray nozzle arrangement of the device according to the invention can be mounted particularly easily on the support when it has two holding elements which extend approximately perpendicularly to the first section of the pressure line between which the second section is arranged, wherein one of the holding elements is penetrated by the pressure line and the other by the drive element of the drive device.

[0021] In addition, or as an alternative, to the above described pressure line for atomizing the body care product, the spray nozzle arrangement according to the invention can also have at least one pressure device, preferably in the form of a pressure pump, especially preferred in the form of a piston pump, with which the body care product is supplied via at least one connecting line from the supply container to the spray nozzle. In this connection, it is not mandatory that the pressure pump is arranged upstream in the supply container for a direct pressure loading of the emulsion surface. Instead, the pressure pump can also be mounted in the connecting line from the supply container to the spray nozzle. In addition, or as an alternative, to the pressure pump, the body care product can all also be conveyed pneumatically in the direction toward the spray nozzle by means of a pressure gas storage device loading the body care product in the supply container with pressure.

[0022] The device according to the invention could be secured in open air, generally in beach area, on a wall, a support column or the like. It was found to be especially expedient when the at least one spray nozzle arrangement of the device according to the invention is at least partially arranged in a spraying booth. In this way, a discreet use of the device is possible without being exposed to curious onlookers. Moreover, the device can then also be protected at nighttime by locking the booth door against entry or use by unauthorized persons or even protected from vandalism.

[0023] As has been explained in detail above, it was found to be expedient in the sense of a uniform application of the body care product by means of the constructively simple spray nozzle arrangement when at least one of the spray nozzles of the spray nozzle arrangement is movably, in particular, pivotably, supported. Moreover, in this connection it was found to be particularly favorable when the spray nozzle arrangement has at least two spray nozzles expediently arranged atop one another, preferably each being pivotably supported. Moreover, a uniform application of the body care product onto all skin surfaces to be treated can be achieved when the spraying booth has a rotatably supported turntable preferably provided with a motoric drive and rotating about a vertical axis. By means of the rotational movement achievable in this way, the user standing on the turntable ensures a uniform application of the sun protection emulsion, wherein with the aid of the motoric drive of the turntable a uniform rotational movement can be provided. By means of the preferably stored program control device of the inventive device, it is possible in an especially preferred embodiment not only to adjust the spray direction with consideration of the previously determined position of the skin to be treated relative to the spray nozzle arrangement but also two control the spray intensity according to the respective needs.

[0024] As can be taken from the above explanations of the device according to the invention, the spray nozzle arrangement suitable for the realization of this device is characterized in particular in that it has at least one movable, preferably pivotably supported, spray nozzle and/or an atomizer with a pressure line and at least one supply line opening into this pressure line for the body care product, wherein the movable spray nozzle expediently has correlated therewith a drive device which is controllable as a function of the position of the skin surfaces detected by means of the control device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0025] In the drawing:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of the spraying booth provided with a device according to the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the booth according to FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a plan view onto the booth according to FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a spray nozzle arrangement used in the device, partially in section, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a sensor of a control device for the device according to the invention;

[0031]FIG. 6 is an illustration for explaining the function of the sensor according to FIG. 5;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a detailed illustrations of a sensor useable for operating the device according to the invention;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a section illustration of the spray nozzle arrangement according to the invention;

[0034]FIG. 9 is a plan view onto the spray nozzle arrangement according to 8;

[0035]FIG. 10 is a side view of the spray nozzle arrangement according to FIG. 8; and

[0036]FIG. 11 is a sectional illustration of the spray nozzle arrangement according to FIG. 8 along the section plane A-A of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The device illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 for applying a body care product, in particular, sun protection emulsions, onto the skin of a human body comprises at least one pressure device 1, at least one supply container 2 for receiving the body care product, at least one spray nozzle 3, and a connecting line 4 extending to the spray nozzle 3. These components are combined in practice to a spray nozzle arrangement which is arranged in a spray booth 5.

[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the pressure device 1 is in the form of a pressure pump which is configured as a piston pump 6 connected in the connecting line 4 between the supply container 2 and the spray nozzle 3. It comprises a piston 9 which is driven by means of connecting rods 8 by a crankshaft 7 and guided in the cylinder 10. The latter is connected, on the one hand, via a check valve 11 to the storage container 3, wherein the check valve 11 opens upon intake stroke, and, on the other hand, via a check valve 12 to the spray nozzle 3, wherein the check valve 12 opens upon pressure stroke.

[0039] Each spray nozzle is pivotably supported. In FIG. 4, the pivot axis 13 is illustrated as well as the motoric drive 14 correlated with the pivot support of the spray nozzle.

[0040] As can be seen in FIG. 2, two pivotably supported spray nozzles 3 are arranged above one another.

[0041] In a way not illustrated in detail, the spraying booth 5 can have correlated therewith a turntable, which is supported to rotate about a vertical axis, with which the user of the spraying booth can subject himself on all sides to a uniform spray by means of the spray nozzle 3. For ensuring a particularly uniform emulsion application, the turntable is provided with a motoric drive.

[0042] In immediate vicinity of the spray nozzle 3, a sensor for detecting the exposed skin surface of the user is provided (see infra). The sensor is provided for a corresponding control of the pivot position of the spray nozzle 3. The spray nozzle arrangement in this context is provided with a stored program control device which controls the degree of the spray nozzle activity. It is not illustrated in the drawing.

[0043]FIG. 4 shows that each supply container 2 is provided with a motor-driven stirring device 15. The costs for the inventive device can be collected from the community of users. For this purpose, for activating and optionally for releasing the booth door prior to use, the booth 5 can be provided with a payment machine, not illustrated, having a coin slot 16. Instead of coins, it is also possible to use chips for activating the machine. This possibility is advantageous because such chips can be configured such that they allow a repeated activation of the machine or the utilization of a certain amount of time determined at the time of purchase. In this way, the risk of breaking into the machine is also eliminated which risk is present in the case of money-operated machines.

[0044] In the following, with the aid of FIGS. 5 and 6 the functional principle of the control device of the device according to the invention will be explained. According to FIG. 5, the control device comprises a sensor 20 which is secured on a spray nozzle 3 and is pivotable together with the spray nozzle about the horizontally extending pivot axis 13. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 5, the spray nozzle 3 dispenses a spray jet of the body care product within a spray jet cone S. The sensor 20 is arranged such that the signals originating from the sensor 20 propagate along the upper edge of the spray jet cone. According to FIG. 6 the signal originating from the sensor 20 impinges on the person to be treated and is then reflected. The reflected signal can then be received by a receiver arrangement which is contained in the sensor. On the basis of the received signals, the position of the skin surfaces to be treated can be detected and the spray nozzle arrangement can be correspondingly controlled.

[0045] In this connection, according to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor can be realized in the form of an ultrasound sensor with which ultrasound waves are emitted and received, wherein, based on the time difference between signal release and signal reception, the distance between the ultrasound sensor and the reflecting object can be determined. For determining the position of the skin surfaces to be treated, the ultrasound sensor is pivoted about the pivot axis 13. The upper limit of the spray jet cone moves together with the ultrasound beam on the body of the person to be treated in the upward direction. As soon as the ultrasound beam, in the area above the shoulder height of the person to be treated, is no longer reflected on the person but on the wall behind the person, this can be detected as a result of the time difference between the signal release and the signal reception so that at this point a current or voltage jump results in the signal released by the ultrasound sensor. This voltage or current jump can be evaluated by a switching circuit and a maximum spray angle which corresponds to the measured shoulder height can be assigned to the spray nozzle arrangement. As can be seen in particular in the illustration of FIG. 6, the sensor is arranged such that the signals originating from it propagate in a vertical plane intercepting the body of the user adjacent to the head in the shoulder area when the body is in a predetermined position which is determined, for example, by corresponding markings, in particular, foot markings.

[0046] As can be seen in the illustration of FIG. 7, in the context of the invention it is also possible to employ a sensor for emitting and receiving signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. For this purpose, the sensor has a sender 22 with a light source 24 realized in FIG. 7 in the form of an incandescent light bulb and a convex lens 26 for generating a parallel light beam bundle. This light beam bundle impinges during the course of the pivot movement of the sensor on the user of the device according to the invention and is then reflected. For receiving the reflected light beam bundle the sensor has a receiver identified at 30 which comprises a convex lens 32 as well as a photo diode 34 arranged in the focal point of the convex lens. In this connection, the position of the receiver 30 relative to the sender 22 is fixed so that the quantity of light received by the receiver depends only from the position of the reflecting surface relative to the sensor. Moreover, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, a photo diode is used whose band structure is such that the signal originating from the photo diode depends not only on the received light quantity but also on the wave length or color of the received light. In this way, by means of the photo diode 34 the light reflected on the skin can be differentiated from the light reflected on textile material as a result of the color differences. For this type of operation of the sensor illustrated in FIG. 7, first a reference point is determined relative to which the characteristic output signals or characteristic output voltage or current strength is determined which corresponds to the special skin of the person currently present in the spraying booth. This characteristic value is saved as a reference value. When moving the sensor, sudden deviations of the output signal from this reference value which surpass a certain magnitude, are recognized by the microprocessor of the control device as a textile surface or as the end of the body.

[0047] In this embodiment of the invention the sensor is also connected to the spray nozzle such that the main axis of the light beam bundle coincides approximately with the upper limit of the spray jet cone of the spray nozzle. The lower limit of the spray jet cone can be determined easily with the knowledge of the spray cone angle by means of a program executable by the microprocessor. When determining the position of the skin surface to be treated by means of the sensor illustrated in FIG. 7, first a maximum pivot angle of the sensor is adjusted so that the light beam originating from the sensor reaches the highest point of the measuring range provided by the measuring device. When pivoting the sensor about the horizontally extending pivot axis the measuring beam is moved downwardly, i.e., in the direction onto the body of the user. In this connection, the first current or voltage jump in the output signal of the sensor occurs as soon as the measuring beam impinges on the shoulder of the user. The pivot angle of the sensor 20 at which this voltage or current jump occurs can be used, with additional consideration of the spray angle, for determining the maximum pivot angle of the spray nozzle 3 during treatment.

[0048] Upon reaching the shoulder, the measuring beam does not impinge necessarily on exposed skin. Instead, it is also possible that the measuring beam first impinges on a bikini strap or bathing suit strap. This can be checked by pivoting the sensor about a vertical pivot axis and an evaluation of the received signals of the sensor. Inasmuch as the measuring beam impinges on exposed skin, this can be used for determining the characteristic value which corresponds to the special skin of the person currently present in the spraying booth. Subsequently, the measuring beam, by a pivot movement of the sensor 20 about the pivot axis 13, can be moved farther downwardly onto the body surface. In this way, the skin surface to be treated can be determined taking into consideration the articles of clothing which the person wears and can be stored in a geometry data memory of the control device. The measuring procedure can be repeated in different sectional planes and different positions of the user relative to the sensor for scanning the front and backside of the user. Based on the thus determined geometry data and the known correlation between the position of the sensor and the spray cone of the nozzle, the spray nozzle arrangement can be controlled such that only the skin surfaces of the user to be treated will be sprayed with the body care product.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to use a laser as the light source instead of the incandescent light bulb.

[0050] The spray nozzle arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11 is comprised substantially of a pressure line, identified in its entirety at 40, a supply device for the body care product, identified in its entirety at 50, a holding device 60, a drive device 70, and a lever mechanism 80 for transmitting the motor movement onto the spray nozzle arrangement. The pressure line 40 is comprised of a first pressure line section 42 fixedly arranged relative to the holding element 62 as well as a second pressure line section 44, inserted via a sealing ring 48 in a seal-tight way into the securing element 62 and aligned at the end inserted into the securing element 62 with the first pressure line section 42, which second section 44 is a curved section in order to deflect the compressed air supplied via the pressure line 40 by 90°. A spray nozzle 46 is arranged at the end of the pressure line section 44 facing away from the first section 42.

[0051] The supply device 54 of the body care product comprises a supply line bundle 52 inserted into the second pressure line section 44 and opening into a chamber 54 stationarily arranged within the second pressure line section 44. The body care product can be dispensed from this chamber 54 through the spray nozzle 46 via a supply line 56 opening in the vicinity of the spray nozzle 46 into the second pressure line section 44. By means of a carrier medium supplied via the pressure line 40, the body care product removed via the additional supply line 56 from the chamber 54 is atomized and sprayed within the schematically illustrated spray cone of FIG. 5. The supply line bundle 52 comprises a plurality of supply lines each connected to a supply container for body care products wherein between the supply containers and the chamber 54 a valve arrangement is provided which allows the selective introduction of a selected body care product from the corresponding supply container into the chamber 54. Moreover, the supply line bundle 52 also comprises a secondary air supply line with which body care product residues can be blown out of the chamber 54 and the additional supply line 56 in order to clean the device.

[0052] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 8, the second pressure line section 54 is arranged between the securing element 62, extending approximately perpendicularly to the first pressure line section, and a further securing element 64 extending parallel thereto, wherein this second securing element 64 is penetrated by a drive element with which the second pressure line section 44 can be pivoted by means of a rotational holder 66 together with the chamber 54 and the additional supply line 56 about the pivot axis 13. The configuration of the drive device used for this purpose is shown in particular in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the drive device 70 comprises a motor 72, a gearbox 74, a coupling 76, the drive axle 78 as well as a lever mechanism 80. The lever mechanism 80 is comprised substantially of a first lever 82 coupled fixedly to the drive axle 78; a push rod 84 which is connected on the first lever 82 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending parallel to the drive axle 78; as well as a second lever 86 connected, on the one hand, to the rotary holder 66 and, on the other hand, on the push rod 84 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis parallel to the drive axle 78. This lever mechanism comprised of the lever 82, the push rod 84, and the second lever 86, is formed as a non-uniform drive so that upon rotational movement of the drive axle a uniform movement of the spray cone onto the body of the user with substantially constant speed is obtained.

[0053] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Instead, the spray nozzle arrangement is conceivably provided with a plurality of selectively controllable spray nozzles wherein each one can be selectively controlled as a function of the location of the skin surfaces detected by the control device. Moreover, the use of sensors in the form of cameras, in particular, digital cameras with image processing device arranged downstream is also conceivable. Moreover, the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 8 to 11 can also the combined with one another.

[0054] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for applying body care products onto the skin of a human body, the device comprising: at least one supply container for receiving a body care product; at least one spray nozzle arrangement for dispensing the body care product in the direction onto the human body; a control device configured to control dispensing of the body care product as a function of a position of the skin to be treated with the body care product relative to the at least one spray nozzle arrangement.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control device comprises a receiver arrangement for receiving signals originating from the skin to be treated, wherein the signals are selected from the group consisting of ultrasound signals, electromagnetic signals, light signals, or heat radiation signals.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control device comprises an evaluation circuit for evaluating the signals originating from the skin, wherein, based on results of the evaluation of the signals originating from the skin, control signals for the spray nozzle arrangement are generated.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation circuit determines a distance between the receiver arrangement and a location from where the signals originate.
 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the evaluation circuit determines surface properties of a location from where the signals originate.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the surface property is the color of the location.
 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the receiver arrangement comprises an ultrasound sensor, a photo diode, or an ultrasound sensor and a photo diode.
 8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control device has a sender for emitting signals in the direction toward the human body, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound sensor, a sensor for emitting electromagnetic signals, and a sensor for emitting light.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sender is configured to emit signals in a single adjustable spatial direction.
 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the sender is pivotably supported about a horizontally extending axis.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the sender and the receiver arrangement are pivotable together.
 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement has at least one moveable spray nozzle.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the spray nozzle is pivotable about at least one predetermined axis.
 14. Device according to claim 12, wherein the spray nozzle is pivotal together with at least one of the sender and the receiver arrangement.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the sender is configured to emit a signal which propagates along an envelope of the spray cone of the body care product dispensed by the spray nozzle.
 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the signal propagates along the upper edge of the envelope.
 17. The device according to claim 12, wherein the sender is configured to emit signals propagating in a vertical plane intercepting the human body adjacent to the head in the shoulder area when the human body is in a predetermined position which is determined by markings.
 18. The device according to claim 12, comprising a drive device for moving the spray nozzle wherein the drive device is controlled by the control device.
 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the drive device comprises a motor, a gearbox, a coupling, and a drive axle, wherein the motor is connected via the gearbox and the coupling to the drive axle and the drive axle is connected to the spray nozzle.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the drive device further comprises a lever mechanism connected to the drive axle of the motor and having at least one lever connected with the spray nozzle, wherein the drive axle extends parallel to a pivot axis about which the spray nozzle is pivoted and wherein the lever extends transversely to the drive axle.
 21. The device according to claim 18, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement comprises at least one pressure line for supplying a pressurized carrier medium and further comprises a supply device for the liquid body care product opening into the pressure line in the vicinity of the spray nozzle.
 22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the supply device has at least two first supply lines connected to at least two of the supply containers for selectively supplying care products to the spray nozzle.
 23. The device according to claim 22, wherein the supply device further comprises a common chamber and a second supply line, wherein the first supply lines open into the common chamber and wherein the body care product is removed from the common chamber by means of the second supply line opening into the pressure line.
 24. The device according to claim 21, wherein the supply device comprises a secondary pressure line for supplying a pressurized medium into the common chamber.
 25. The device according to claim 22, wherein the pressure line has a first section, parallel to the pivot axis of the spray nozzle, and a second section connected thereto fluid-tightly and provided with the spray nozzle at the end remote from the first section and movable relative to the first section, wherein the drive device is coupled to the second section.
 26. The device according to claim 22, wherein at least one of the first supply lines has a first section, parallel to the pivot axis of the spray nozzle, and a second section connected thereto fluid-tightly and provided with the spray nozzle at the end remote from the first section and movable relative to the first section, wherein the drive device is coupled to the second section.
 27. The device according to claim 25, wherein the second section has a curved portion for deflecting the carrier medium by an angle of approximately 90°.
 28. The device according to claim 25, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement has two holding elements extending approximately perpendicularly to the first section, wherein the second section is arranged between the two holding elements and wherein one of the holding elements is penetrated by the pressure line and the other one of the holding elements by a drive element of the drive device.
 29. The device according to claim 12, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement has at least one pressure device configured to convey the body care product via at least one connecting line from the at least one supply container to the spray nozzle.
 30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the pressure device is a piston pump.
 31. The device according to claim 1, comprising a booth in which the spray nozzle arrangement is arranged at least partially.
 32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the booth comprises a turntable having a motoric drive and rotatable about a vertical axis.
 33. The device according to claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement has at least two spray nozzles arranged atop one another and pivotably supported.
 34. The device according to claim 1, comprising a motor-driven stirring device for at least one of the supply containers.
 35. A spray nozzle arrangement for a device according to claim 1, comprising at least one spray nozzle moveable by a control device as a function of a position of the skin to be treated with the body care product relative to the at least one spray nozzle.
 36. A method for applying liquid body care products onto the skin of a user by a device comprising at least one supply container for receiving a body care product, at least one spray nozzle arrangement for dispensing the body care product in the direction onto the human body, and a control device configured to control dispensing of the body care product as a function of a position of the skin to be treated with the body care product relative to the at least one spray nozzle arrangement, wherein the method comprises the steps of: determining a position of the skin to be treated with the body care product; and subsequently dispensing the body care product in the direction toward the user wherein dispensing is controlled as a function of the position of the skin to be treated determined in the step of determining. 